Jenx

Business Loans Case Study

The Company

Jenx designs and manufactures innovative support products to help children with special postural needs to live happy and fulfilling lives. Their portfolio includes products for seating, standing, sleeping and therapy. One of Jenx’ best known products is Monkey, a simple and adjustable wooden standing system for children of up to six years old.

Jenx has a turnover of around £6m and employs 75 staff. It currently exports around 15 per cent of its products to countries including Australia, New Zealand and the US.

The Jenx manufacturing and engineering operation is run by general manager Daniel Limb. The UK sales and distribution of Jenx products is carried out by a division called Jiraffe, run by general manager Holly Jenkins, which has grown strongly since its launch two years ago.

The Challenge

Jenx needed to replace old machines in order to improve efficiencies at a time when it was developing a number of new products.

Finance Yorkshire Involvement

Jenx has received a Business Loan of £180,000 from Finance Yorkshire, which will fund two machines for cutting wood and plastic sheets. The machines will enable Jenx to make products faster and with greater accuracy.

The Investment Rationale

Melanie Reynolds, of Finance Yorkshire, said: "Jenx is a long-established family business that has developed an excellent reputation for providing innovative and well-made products that make a huge difference to the lives of their users. Our investment will drive efficiencies in the manufacturing process and enable Jenx to take advantage of opportunities both in the UK and overseas

Future Expectations

Clive said: "We have been growing over the last couple of years but there are always new product areas for us to look at. While Jiraffe is focused on the domestic market, Jenx is now pushing forward with a more global view and growing our international trade."

Note: this case study is from Finance Yorkshire’s previous fund. Read more about Finance Yorkshire